Investigation of single-particle detection of continuous-wave coherent Doppler lidar: theoretical feasibility and performance comparison with multiple-particle detection state

Abstract

Single-particle detection with a continuous-waves coherent Doppler lidar (CW-CDL) is an interesting event. Even though some experimental results have been shown in past literatures as evidence of single-particle detection, these results have not been verified from theoretical point of view. Here, performance of a CW-CDL with the single-particle detection is investigated. Examples of single-particle detection which have been reported in the past literatures are verified by using theoretical simulation. Further, comparison on signal detection ability between single- and multiple- particle cases is additionally performed theoretically.